There are various flooring options out there, but none has made as big an impact on the flooring market as laminate has. Over the last couple of years, laminate has seen remarkable popularity among homeowners in Plano, Texas — thanks to its cost-effectiveness, durability, visual appeal and ease of installation. Speaking of the ease of installation, laminate floors are a top pick among DIY-ers since they can be easily laid right on top of different types of flooring surfaces with next to no effort. But can laminate flooring be laid over hardwood floors? Let’s find out!
Reasons to install laminate flooring over existing hardwood floors.
If you are searching for a flooring solution for your home in Plano, TX, you cannot go wrong with laminate. Here are a few reasons why:
For one, laminate flooring is super DIY-friendly. Although the click together (no-glue, no-nail) installation, which allows the planks to snap together in no time, calls for some specialized tools such as a tapping block and pull bar, these tools are inexpensive and can be found at any hardware store. Plus, if you ever want to return to the original hardwood, you can just pull the laminate out. It’s that easy!
Secondly, quality laminate flooring provides an innumerable variety of colors and textures. You can choose the one that best suits your needs and space, or that comes closest to mimicking the classic look and feel of those natural wood grain patterns on your existing hardwood floors. The possibilities are endless.
Then there is the matter of durability. Laminate is one of the most hard-wearing flooring options out there. It is hard to damage or dent. It is barely affected by changes in humidity. And it has a protective topcoat that makes it more resistant to fading.
Laminate floors are also pretty easy to clean. Just sweep or vacuum the floors every once in a while to get rid of dirt and debris and use a damp cloth or mop to remove grime off the floor. Unlike hardwood floors, no special products are needed.
Finally, laminate installation is relatively affordable. The materials used in the production of laminate flooring themselves are fairly inexpensive, and the installation costs are also much lower than restoring your old solid hardwood boards.
Why not just refinish the hardwood floor?
You could refinish your solid hardwood floor instead of laying a laminate floor on top of it. But keep in mind that refinishing a floor can take a lot of time. All the furniture must be removed from the room. The wood needs to be sanded bare. Any structural or cosmetic repairs need to be made before staining and coating and more. If you do not want this trouble, you should install quality laminate flooring over your hardwood floor instead of having them refinished.
And of course, not all hardwood floors can be refinished.
If your hardwood floor has underfloor damage, boards that wiggle and move around a lot, and sustained damage such as warping, chipping, ugly stains, or termite infestation, you may not be able to sand, stain, and refinish your existing flooring, not without leaving an unsightly mess. All that time, energy and resources spent replacing that part of the floor will be incredibly inefficient — it would make more sense to lay an inexpensive and equally striking alternative (laminate).
Considerations For Installing Laminate Flooring Over Hardwood
Laminate flooring can be installed on top of hardwood boards that are in fairly good condition with no preparatory work at all. If the laminate has a built-in underlayer, you could simply lay it on top of the hardwood flooring. If the laminate does not have a built-in underlayer, on the other hand, you will need to roll out and tape your underlayment to the wood and then begin the laminate floor installation.
What if your hardwood floor is not in good condition, though?
You must be mindful of the fact that in many older homes, the hardwood floorings may be in rough conditions. If that is the case, you will need to do some basic preparations prior to installing the laminate flooring on top of your existing hardwood floor: pull any protruding nails or fasteners and sand down any floorboards that are bent or angled up. You will also need to level the warped part of your hardwood floor as any inconsistencies in the flooring surface could result in stress points for locking joints, creating problems down the line.
Let’s remind you of one important thing: DO NOT tighten the laminate too much to the wall.
Don’t make the mistake of laying the laminate floor tightly to the wall during the installation process. This will make the floor move with temperature changes and humidity — as a result, the floor setup will get loose over time.
Professional flooring solutions in Plano, TX
If you are on a budget but do not want to compromise on your flooring’s visual appeal and durability, laminate is the perfect flooring option for you. If you need expert advice about laminate floors, you can count on the experience and expertise of Nadine Floor Company. We specialize in providing the best possible solutions for all your flooring needs in and around Texas. So, get in touch with our Plano flooring experts to help you find the right laminate option.
Call us at (469) 666-4531, and we will be happy to assist!